There is no denying the fact that mineral reserves in Balochistan province are in abundance with copper and gold as the leading deposits. It is apparent that despite the lapse of more than 60 years of creation of Pakistan, no proper attention by any government was paid towards this vital issue which could have generated billions of rupees in this long period. It is obviously more than a mockery that in the presence of rich reserves, those at the helm of affairs of country are begging from IMF World Bank and other financial institutions for even meeting day-to-day expenses. However, some years back, Reko Diq project was started but owing to excessive corruption, inefficiency and unawareness from the ground realities, the contract of mining was given to a foreign company at terms which are considered exploitative. Due to growing resentment and complaints, the apex court finally took notice for such irregularities. Dr. Samar Mubarik Mand yesterday informed the court that allowing the foreign company to handle the project would be very harmful for the country. He also said that we could extract the resources indigenously to adequately bolster the finances of the country and pull the country out of monetary chaos. SHAFQAT ALI KHAN, Sahiwal, January 13.